Wilde Horses. Jannine Gallant

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СКАЧАТЬ off the highway onto a two-lane county road. “What do you do with the horses once they’re tamed?”

      “I adopt them out to families.” A smile brightened her eyes. “It’s incredibly rewarding to send my horses to a family I know will care for them. I thoroughly vet all my applicants.”

      “Hmm, you save horses and bring kids joy for years. I might give a couple on a date pleasure for an hour or two. Makes me wonder about what I do for a living.”

      “Millions of couples on dates around the world forget their troubles for those two hours. There’s nothing wrong with entertaining people. You can’t overrate happiness or its power to spur on a positive attitude that lasts long after the date is over.”

      He glanced over. “Wow, you actually make me sound important. I like how you think.”

      “Not exactly the profound stuff of philosophers, but it doesn’t hurt to look for good where you can find it.”

      “No, it doesn’t. Even on a day like today.” He hesitated for a moment then pointed. “We’re almost there. Blue Valley sits at the base of those mountains.” The sadness she’d helped him keep at bay throughout the drive encroached. Without warning, tears pressed behind his eyelids, and he drew in a ragged breath.

      “Pull over.”

      “Huh?” He blinked a few times before glancing her way.

      “Just do it. There’s no traffic.”

      “There never is.” He didn’t question her again but did as she asked and braked to slow the car to a stop on the shoulder of the road.

      She released her seatbelt and held out her arms. “Come closer.”

      He eyed her with uncertainty before unfastening his belt. “What’s going on?”

      “You look like you need a hug. I’m here to provide it.”

      His grief spilled over as he wrapped her in his arms with the center console between them. He couldn’t speak, just held tight to her warmth and vitality for long minutes and let the tears seep out. “Thank you, Eden. I’m so glad you’re here. If you hadn’t come—”

      “You would have managed just fine because you have a strong heart. If I can make things a little easier, I want to.”

      He pressed a kiss to the crown of her head then released her to wipe a hand across his eyes. “I’m thankful. Honestly.”

      Her smile shook a little, and her eyes shone with sympathy. “Better?”

      “Yes. Let’s do this.”

      She nodded.

      Releasing a long breath, he took his foot off the brake and eased back onto the road that led home to Blue Valley.

      Chapter 6

      Eden stood off to the side of the crowd gathered in the cemetery behind a small white church. She’d intended to take a walk during the service but was drawn back by the words of the preacher, ringing in the still afternoon air. He spoke of Josie as everyone in the town had known her, a young girl full of dreams for the future. A future that had ended on an unfortunate night twelve years before.

      “The Lord has finally welcomed Josie home.” The preacher’s voice rose, and his long, white beard waggled. “We can all rest easier tonight knowing she’s in a better place.”

      Fine lines bracketed Blake’s lips as he stood beside a blond woman who wore a simple black dress. She had on no makeup, and an unhealthy pallor tinged her skin. On her other side, an older man, thin to the point of gauntness, swayed now and then as if he were no match for the light breeze. His hands shook as he clenched and unclenched his fingers at his sides. When the woman Eden assumed was Josie’s sister glanced his way, hazel eyes darkened with an emotion that looked a lot like anger.

      Was the scrawny man the prodigal father come home to bury his daughter? If so, he didn’t appear to have been welcomed by the one who still remained.

      “Would anyone like to say a few final words?”

      Eden’s attention jerked back to the preacher as he eyed the mourners.

      Priscilla shook her head. “I just can’t.” Her voice broke. “Blake?”

      He nodded and stepped up beside the man clutching a Bible to the front of his faded suit. Blake had changed out of the jeans and T-shirt he’d worn on the drive, into a pair of black pants and a pewter-gray jacket. The overhead sun highlighted his pale blond hair and the stark angle of his jaw. He was so handsome it almost hurt to look at him. Eden pushed her hands into the pockets of her slacks and let out a breath.

      “Josie was pure goodness—a generous, sweet, thoughtful girl. I don’t know a single person who ever had a bad word to say about her, and I feel honored to have been her friend for most of her life.”

      His rueful smile tugged at Eden’s heart and nearly brought her to tears. She wasn’t sure how he kept his composure, but there was no hint of the emotion he’d displayed earlier in the car.

      “I fell in love with Josie when she was six and I was seven, and she’ll always hold a special place in my heart. During the years we spent together, she made me a better person, and she continues to do so every day. When I’m frustrated or angry, I’ll ask myself how Josie would handle the situation. The answer is always with grace and courage. I try to live up to her example.” He stopped speaking to glance over the gathering. “Josie isn’t gone. The best part of her lives on in all of us.”

      The preacher patted his shoulder. “Thank you for that, Blake. Let’s all take a moment to pray.”

      Eden tuned him out. When Blake returned to his place beside Priscilla, she clung to his arm while tears ran down her cheeks. Long minutes later, the preacher concluded the service with a solemn Amen.

      After offering Josie’s sister hugs or handshakes of condolence, the crowd dispersed. Most spoke to Blake, but only a few approached the older man. He made a single attempt to speak to Pricilla, and when she abruptly turned her back, he shuffled away. As he passed Eden, she reached out a hand to touch the sleeve of his blue shirt. An empty gaze met hers.

      “I’m sorry for your loss.”

      “Thank you, but I made my peace with losing Josie years ago. I shouldn’t have come today.” He turned abruptly and headed toward a battered pickup parked on the street.

      When Eden pulled her attention away from the dejected slump of the man’s shoulders, Blake was headed in her direction with Priscilla at his side. Strong emotions flashed across Josie’s sister’s face as she pressed pale lips into a thin line. Grief. Anger. Regret.

      “Eden, I’d like you to meet Priscilla Lewis. Pris, this is a friend of mine, Eden Wilde. We’re currently filming on her family’s ranch.”

      “You have my deepest sympathies.” Eden held out her hand.

      The other woman shook it briefly, gave her a half-smile and muttered what might have been a thank you before tilting her head back to look up at Blake. “Are you sure you can’t spend the night? I’m just…I СКАЧАТЬ